Calendar of Events
Our programming includes many art classes and events both free and paid for anyone who is passionate about puppetry! Events are typically hosted at different venues around Minneapolis, and include offerings that are all ages, family friendly, as well as programs for kids, tweens and teens. You can subscribe to our enewsletter and stay up to date on all we have to offer.
Trees Are Cool!
Trees are Cool introduces its young audience to a Grandmother Squirrel who teaches us to plant trees for the benefit of future generations. Told through puppetry, song, and even some tree jokes, Trees are Cool is a delightful and educational show that illuminates just how cool trees are.
Free and open to All. Geared towards ages 7-11
Lantern Workshop
We are partnering with several organizations and artists to host Lantern workshops in the community! Please see flyer for dates, times and locations.
Led by puppetry artists Tara Fahey, Dominique Herskind, Kallie Melvin, Eva Adderley, Malia Burkhart and Heather Hinrich.
This event is sponsored by the Minneapolis Foundation.
FULL - Mask Making Workshops
FULL * Please sign up for a waitlist spot.
Come join us for a Mask Making Workshop!
Free. Registration required.
View event to register!
FULL - Mask Making Workshops
FULL. - Please sign up for a wait list.
Come join us for a Mask Making Workshop!
Free. Registration required.
View event to register!
Puppet Library
The puppet lending library is a collection of puppets and masks on display, many of which are available for check out—just like a book from a library, at no cost to the public.
These puppets and masks can be utilized for community events, activism, school plays, personal celebrations, civic events, and more. During library hours, the public can come for a visit or check out a puppet. Visit us on the First and Third Saturday of each month, 10a-2p!
Winter Solstice
We are partnering with several Twin Cities organizations and artists to bring warmth and light to the shortest day of the year. On December 20th we'll gather from 6-9 pm, meeting at the Powderhorn Park Rec Center.
All events are free, open to the public, and for all ages!
This event is sponsored by the Minneapolis Foundation.
FULL - Mask Making Workshops
FULL - Please sign up for a wait list.
Come join us for a Mask Making Workshop!
Free. Registration required.
View event to register!
Puppet Library
The puppet lending library is a collection of puppets and masks on display, many of which are available for check out—just like a book from a library, at no cost to the public.
These puppets and masks can be utilized for community events, activism, school plays, personal celebrations, civic events, and more. During library hours, the public can come for a visit or check out a puppet. Visit us on the First and Third Saturday of each month, 10a-2p!
First Saturday Storytime
Join us for First Saturday Storytime with Chelly and her sidekick Turnip the Dog!
All are welcome. Free!
Puppet Library
The puppet lending library is a collection of puppets and masks on display, many of which are available for check out—just like a book from a library, at no cost to the public.
These puppets and masks can be utilized for community events, activism, school plays, personal celebrations, civic events, and more. During library hours, the public can come for a visit or check out a puppet. Visit us on the First and Third Saturday of each month, 10a-2p!
Puppet Library
The puppet lending library is a collection of puppets and masks on display, many of which are available for check out—just like a book from a library, at no cost to the public.
These puppets and masks can be utilized for community events, activism, school plays, personal celebrations, civic events, and more. During library hours, the public can come for a visit or check out a puppet. Visit us on the First and Third Saturday of each month, 10a-2p!
First Saturday Storytime
Join us for First Saturday Storytime with Chelly and her sidekick Turnip the Dog!
All are welcome. Free!
Puppet Library
The puppet lending library is a collection of puppets and masks on display, many of which are available for check out—just like a book from a library, at no cost to the public.
These puppets and masks can be utilized for community events, activism, school plays, personal celebrations, civic events, and more. During library hours, the public can come for a visit or check out a puppet. Visit us on the First and Third Saturday of each month, 10a-2p!
Puppet Library
The puppet lending library is a collection of puppets and masks on display, many of which are available for check out—just like a book from a library, at no cost to the public.
These puppets and masks can be utilized for community events, activism, school plays, personal celebrations, civic events, and more. During library hours, the public can come for a visit or check out a puppet. Visit us on the First and Third Saturday of each month, 10a-2p!
First Saturday Storytime
Join us for First Saturday Storytime with Chelly and her sidekick Turnip the Dog!
All are welcome. Free!
FULL - Mask Making Workshops
FULL * Please sign up for a waitlist spot.
Come join us for a Mask Making Workshop!
Free. Registration required.
View event to register!
First Saturday Storytime
Join us for First Saturday Storytime with Chelly and her sidekick Turnip the Dog!
All are welcome. Free!
Puppet Library
The puppet lending library is a collection of puppets and masks on display, many of which are available for check out—just like a book from a library, at no cost to the public.
These puppets and masks can be utilized for community events, activism, school plays, personal celebrations, civic events, and more. During library hours, the public can come for a visit or check out a puppet. Visit us on the First and Third Saturday of each month, 10a-2p!
FULL - Large Puppet build workshop
Come build a large Alebrije puppet with us!
Gustavo Boada and a team of HOBT artists will lead six community build workshops to work on a large puppet to be installed into HOBT Puppet Library.
Come learn about the art of Alebrijes and participate in a large puppet build.
FULL - Large Puppet build workshop
Come build a large Alebrije puppet with us!
Gustavo Boada and a team of HOBT artists will lead six community build workshops to work on a large puppet to be installed into HOBT Puppet Library.
Come learn about the art of Alebrijes and participate in a large puppet build.
FULL - Large Puppet build workshop
Come build a large Alebrije puppet with us!
Gustavo Boada and a team of HOBT artists will lead six community build workshops to work on a large puppet to be installed into HOBT Puppet Library.
Come learn about the art of Alebrijes and participate in a large puppet build.
FULL - Large Puppet build workshop
Come build a large Alebrije puppet with us!
Gustavo Boada and a team of HOBT artists will lead six community build workshops to work on a large puppet to be installed into HOBT Puppet Library.
Come learn about the art of Alebrijes and participate in a large puppet build.
Puppet Library
The puppet lending library is a collection of puppets and masks on display, many of which are available for check out—just like a book from a library, at no cost to the public.
These puppets and masks can be utilized for community events, activism, school plays, personal celebrations, civic events, and more. During library hours, the public can come for a visit or check out a puppet. Visit us on the First and Third Saturday of each month, 10a-2p!
FULL - Large Puppet build workshop
Come build a large Alebrije puppet with us!
Gustavo Boada and a team of HOBT artists will lead six community build workshops to work on a large puppet to be installed into HOBT Puppet Library.
Come learn about the art of Alebrijes and participate in a large puppet build.
FULL - Large Puppet build workshop
Come build a large Alebrije puppet with us!
Gustavo Boada and a team of HOBT artists will lead six community build workshops to work on a large puppet to be installed into HOBT Puppet Library.
Come learn about the art of Alebrijes and participate in a large puppet build.
First Saturday Storytime
Join us for our Free First Saturday Storytime in our new home!
Community Moving Day!
Help us move into our new space! We need help at the Avalon and at our new location and will gladly accept your help for an hour or for the entire time! Click here to sign up!
First Saturday Puppet Storytime
We host a free puppet story hour every 1st Saturday of the month.
Halloween Story Tour
Halloween Story time is back on tour in the Fall! Bring our storyteller cohort to your backyard or basement for some spooky fun! Please fill out this form to book a program or email ekotlyar@hobt.org to request more information!
Puppet Caravan! Come help us move our Puppets!!
Mark your calendars!
We’ll gather for a Puppet Caravan — moving these beloved puppets from the Avalon to their new home. Meet at 10 to move puppets into the trucks/vans ~ we will start our caravan route at 11 am.
We need trucks, vans, and helping hands to carry this legacy forward. Please join us in this chance to honor decades of community art and ensure the puppets keep inspiring future generations.
Be part of this ongoing tradition and help us make new memories with our beloved community.
More info on how to sign up coming very soon!
What size truck or van will you bring to our caravan?
House Party Fundraiser
Join us in the new home of In the Heart of the Beast's art and education programming and the Puppet Library.
HOBT at Open Streets - Hennepin Ave
Come Join us at Open streets on Hennepin!
Our regular Puppet Library hours will resume in November!
First Saturday Puppet Storytime
We host a free puppet story hour every 1st Saturday of the month.
Large Puppet Workshops
Join us at Peavey Park for Large Puppet making workshops!
As part of the planning process for a new artwork at Peavey Park, Heart of the Beast will be leading four community workshops in puppet making, puppeteering and community story-telling.
Attend one session or all four!
Thursday evenings, July 31, August 7, 14 and 21
Time: 4:30 - 7:30 p.m.
Where: Peavey Picnic Shelter, 730 East 22nd Street, Minneapolis
Questions? Contact Sarah at sarah.linnesrobinson@minneapolismn.gov
HOBT Summer Puppet Camp: August Session
HOBT Puppet Camp will take place June 9-13, 2025 and August 25-29, 2025! Your child will be able to explore the materials and create with others.
Large Puppet Workshops
Join us at Peavey Park for Large Puppet making workshops!
As part of the planning process for a new artwork at Peavey Park, Heart of the Beast will be leading four community workshops in puppet making, puppeteering and community story-telling.
Attend one session or all four!
Thursday evenings, July 31, August 7, 14 and 21
Time: 4:30 - 7:30 p.m.
Where: Peavey Picnic Shelter, 730 East 22nd Street, Minneapolis
Questions? Contact Sarah at sarah.linnesrobinson@minneapolismn.gov
Lambe Lambe Workshop
Discover Brazilian Puppetry, the enchanting world of "Lambe Lambe," a miniature puppetry theater performed inside a box. In this five-day workshop, you will explore the art of dramaturgy, character creation, and storyboarding while designing your puppets, building scenic boxes, mastering set lighting, and creating sound effects. The course culminates in a unique performance, showcasing each puppeteer's creation. Tell your story in a very unique way!
This Cultural Districts Art Fund program activity is funded by the Arts & Cultural Affairs Department in the City of Minneapolis.
Free. Open to All. No registration required. 1500 East Lake street
Photo: curtesy of Lys Akerman-Frank
Lambe Lambe Workshop
Discover Brazilian Puppetry, the enchanting world of "Lambe Lambe," a miniature puppetry theater performed inside a box. In this five-day workshop, you will explore the art of dramaturgy, character creation, and storyboarding while designing your puppets, building scenic boxes, mastering set lighting, and creating sound effects. The course culminates in a unique performance, showcasing each puppeteer's creation. Tell your story in a very unique way!
This Cultural Districts Art Fund program activity is funded by the Arts & Cultural Affairs Department in the City of Minneapolis.
Free. Open to All. No registration required. 1500 East Lake street
Photo: curtesy of Lys Akerman-Frank
Lambe Lambe Workshop
Discover Brazilian Puppetry, the enchanting world of "Lambe Lambe," a miniature puppetry theater performed inside a box. In this five-day workshop, you will explore the art of dramaturgy, character creation, and storyboarding while designing your puppets, building scenic boxes, mastering set lighting, and creating sound effects. The course culminates in a unique performance, showcasing each puppeteer's creation. Tell your story in a very unique way!
This Cultural Districts Art Fund program activity is funded by the Arts & Cultural Affairs Department in the City of Minneapolis.
Free. Open to All. No registration required. 1500 East Lake street
Photo: curtesy of Lys Akerman-Frank
Large Puppet Workshops
Join us at Peavey Park for Large Puppet making workshops!
As part of the planning process for a new artwork at Peavey Park, Heart of the Beast will be leading four community workshops in puppet making, puppeteering and community story-telling.
Attend one session or all four!
Thursday evenings, July 31, August 7, 14 and 21
Time: 4:30 - 7:30 p.m.
Where: Peavey Picnic Shelter, 730 East 22nd Street, Minneapolis
Questions? Contact Sarah at sarah.linnesrobinson@minneapolismn.gov
Lambe Lambe Workshop
Discover Brazilian Puppetry, the enchanting world of "Lambe Lambe," a miniature puppetry theater performed inside a box. In this five-day workshop, you will explore the art of dramaturgy, character creation, and storyboarding while designing your puppets, building scenic boxes, mastering set lighting, and creating sound effects. The course culminates in a unique performance, showcasing each puppeteer's creation. Tell your story in a very unique way!
This Cultural Districts Art Fund program activity is funded by the Arts & Cultural Affairs Department in the City of Minneapolis.
Free. Open to All. No registration required. 1500 East Lake street
Photo: curtesy of Lys Akerman-Frank
Lambe Lambe Workshop
Discover Brazilian Puppetry, the enchanting world of "Lambe Lambe," a miniature puppetry theater performed inside a box. In this five-day workshop, you will explore the art of dramaturgy, character creation, and storyboarding while designing your puppets, building scenic boxes, mastering set lighting, and creating sound effects. The course culminates in a unique performance, showcasing each puppeteer's creation. Tell your story in a very unique way!
This Cultural Districts Art Fund program activity is funded by the Arts & Cultural Affairs Department in the City of Minneapolis.
Free. Open to All. No registration required. 1500 East Lake street
Photo: curtesy of Lys Akerman-Frank
Weird Stuff Only
Weird Stuff Only is a variety show for the strange, the unusual, and the highly peculiar! Featuring Oanh Vu, Devohn Bland + Karly Bergmann, Bakibakibaki, and May + the Ladies! This show is NOT TO BE MISSED! August 10th, 7pm SHARP (doors open at 6), $15-$25 sliding scale. ASL interpretation is offered, and masks are required and provided.